MK David Bitan feeling better, disconnected from ECMO machine
Bitan has been hooked up to the ECMO machine for two weeks, in serious yet stable condition following COVID-19 complications, after his initial hospitalization on December 13.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFMK David Bitan of the Likud party seen at the election committee where political parties running for a spot in the upcoming Israeli election arrive to present their party list, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on January 15, 2020. (photo credit: OLIVIER FITOUSSI/FLASH90)
Likud MK David Bitan's health is improving, and he has been disconnected from the ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine, as he continues to get treated for the coronavirus, his family announced on Sunday.Bitan has been hooked up to the ECMO machine for two weeks, in serious yet stable condition, following COVID-19 complications, after his initial hospitalization on December 13 at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.Under the suggestion of the attending medical staff, Bitan was connected to the machine while conscious, as it aided his heart and lungs in oxygenating his body.On December 7, Bitan tweeted that he had tested positive for the novel coronavirus, confirming what the Knesset spokesperson announced earlier in the evening.His last visit to the Knesset was on December 2, so anyone in contact with him was instructed to go into isolation, including fellow Likud MK Miki Zohar.He had also participated, on December 3, in welcoming a flight of olim from Ethiopia. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was there, as well as Aliyah and Integration Minister Pnina Tamano-Shata (Blue and White). Netanyahu did not need to go into isolation at the time because he had only interacted with Bitan for a very short time, and was outdoors."A man with a huge heart and a good soul: There are not many like him in politics," Tamano-Shata tweeted when he was admitted to the ICU. "I pray for his complete healing and hope that all the good things he did as chairman of the Knesset Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Committee for new immigrants will stand to his credit."30 people, including three MKs, were required to isolate after being exposed to Bitan.
